Rhodian victory isolated the Seleucid navy at Ephesus, enabling Rome's invasion of Seleucid Asia Minor.
Key Facts
- Date
- August 190 BC
- Rhodian commander
- Admiral Eudamus
- Seleucid commander
- Hannibal
- Seleucid ships heavily damaged
- Half of Seleucid fleet
- Maneuver used
- Diekplous
- Conflict
- Roman–Seleucid War
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the Roman–Seleucid War, the Seleucid king deployed a fleet under Hannibal to contest Rhodian naval dominance in the eastern Mediterranean. The Rhodian fleet under admiral Eudamus was anchored at the mouth of the Eurymedon River near Side, making it a target for Hannibal's attack.
Hannibal attacked the docked Rhodian fleet at Side in August 190 BC. After initial confusion, the Rhodians executed the diekplous maneuver against the Seleucid seaward wing, heavily damaging half of the Seleucid ships and forcing them to withdraw, though Hannibal preserved much of his remaining fleet.
Although Hannibal retained most of his ships, his failure to achieve a decisive victory left the main Seleucid fleet at Ephesus isolated and vulnerable. Without Hannibal's reinforcement, Roman forces were free to advance their invasion of Seleucid Asia Minor.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Eudamus.
Side B
1 belligerent
Hannibal.